The 20-year-old has already scored 11 goals in 17 appearances for a struggling Milan side and has been hailed as one of the brightest talents in Europe.

Ukraine international Shevchenko concedes he was not aware of the precocious talent until recently, but believes the youngster has all the attributes to become a legend of the game.

"I didn’t know a lot about him until a few months ago," he admitted to La Gazzettadella Sport.

"Now I have been struck by his talent. I saw his performance against Napoli and the goals that he scored. They were great goals.

"He’s a really mobile player, he knows how to move on the pitch and he’s good at defending too."

The striker made his international bow in August whilst he scored his first goal for the Azzurri in their defeat to France on Wednesday, and Shevchenko believes that if he keeps up his performances, he will be a regular for the 2006 World Cup winners.

The 36-year-old added: "He’s still very young, but if he continues like this, then, he will become a champion. He’ll be an important player for Milan and the national side."